jewel

4 synonyms and 1 antonym for jewel, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — A precious stone, especially one cut and polished for use in jewellery.

Synonyms

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

gem treasure

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

gemstone precious stone

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

A precious stone, especially one cut and polished for use in jewellery.

“A single jewel glittered at the centre of the crown.”

gem gemstone treasure precious stone

2. noun

Something regarded as especially precious or admirable.

“The small coastal village is a jewel most tourists never find.”

Opposites

bauble

How to use jewel

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

crown jewel hidden jewel jewel box

Etymology

From an Old French word of uncertain origin, possibly linked to Latin words for "joy" or "joke" — the exact root is debated by historians.

Full origin of jewel →

Frequently asked questions

What does “jewel” mean?

The word “jewel” means a precious stone, especially one cut and polished for use in jewellery. In plain terms, a gemstone, or figuratively, anything treasured as rare and valuable.

How do you pronounce “jewel”?

“Jewel” is pronounced JOO-uhl (/d͡ʒul/ in IPA).

How do you use “jewel” in a sentence?

Here is “jewel” used in a sentence: “A single jewel glittered at the centre of the crown.”

What part of speech is “jewel”?

“Jewel” is a noun.

Where does the word “jewel” come from?

The word “jewel” comes from Latin. From an Old French word of uncertain origin, possibly linked to Latin words for "joy" or "joke" — the exact root is debated by historians.

Is “jewel” a common word?

“Jewel” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

How many meanings does “jewel” have?

“Jewel” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a precious stone, especially one cut and polished for use in jewellery.

What is the difference between a jewel and jewelry?

A jewel is typically a single precious stone, especially one cut and polished, while jewelry refers to the finished ornamental items, such as rings or necklaces, that may incorporate jewels along with metal settings. Jewelry is the broader category of wearable adornment.

Can 'jewel' be used figuratively rather than literally?

Yes, jewel is often used figuratively to describe something regarded as especially precious or admirable, beyond literal gemstones. For example, a beloved place or person can be called 'a jewel.'

What is the difference between a jewel and a gem?

Jewel and gem are closely related and often used interchangeably to mean a precious stone, though jewel can also carry the extended figurative sense of something highly prized, which gem uses less commonly.

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treasure gem gemstone bauble

Nearby words

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